The righteousness of God revealed apart from the law (Romans 3:21–26)

Says "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets" (3:21, BSB). It comes "through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (3:22, BSB), and "There is no distinction" (3:22, BSB; διαστολή, lex.G1293), "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23, BSB). They are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:24, BSB). δωρεάν (lex.G1432) is adverbial, "freely"; τῇ αὐτοῦ χάριτι is the means; and ἀπολύτρωσις (lex.G629) is redemption (note.language.Rom.3.24.dorean-apolytrosis). The Byzantine text and TR add καὶ ἐπὶ πάντας in 3:22 (var.Rom.3.22.kai-epi-pantas).

Implies "The righteousness of God" carries both of its senses here, and they belong together. In 3:21–22 it is chiefly the righteous standing God gives through faith (compare Phil 3:9). In 3:25–26 it is chiefly God's own justice, his saving and covenant faithfulness, shown at the cross (3:3–5). The two are not set against each other (note.language.Rom.3.22.pistis-iesou-christou; note.exegetical.Rom.1.17.righteousness-of-god). Whose πίστις is meant in 3:22 and 3:26 is discussed below (note.exegetical.Rom.3.22-Rom.3.26.pistis-christou).

Implies Justification is forensic. δικαιόω (lex.G1344) is declarative: God gives a verdict freely, by grace, to the ungodly (3:24; 4:5), and the verdict is set against condemnation (5:9, 16; 8:1, 33–34). The imputation of Christ's righteousness is set out in note.exegetical.Rom.1.17.imputation and is not repeated here.

Uncertain What δικαιούμενοι (3:24) attaches to. This commentary leans to the "all" of 3:23, meaning the all who believe (3:22). The main alternative is a fresh start, possibly a formula Paul adopts in 3:24–26 (src.kasemann-romans; src.stuhlmacher-romans). Paul gives no marker of quotation, and the wording is his on either view. Whether ἀπολύτρωσις keeps the idea of a ransom price is also open. This commentary leans to yes, because of "in His blood" (3:25) and 1 Cor 6:20. The main alternative is deliverance with no price in view.

Says "God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand" (3:25, BSB). "He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus" (3:26, BSB). The meanings of ἱλαστήριον, πάρεσις, and ἔνδειξις are set out in the next section (note.exegetical.Rom.3.25.hilasterion-propitiation).

Implies Christ's death is a penal substitution. God is "just" when he justifies (3:26), because the penalty of the sins he had passed over was borne by Christ in his death, "in His blood" (3:25). The redemption is costly (3:24), and Paul says the same in 4:25, 5:9, and 8:3 (note.language.Rom.3.25-Rom.3.26.paresis-endeixis). The cross does not set justice aside. It satisfies justice, and so God both is just and justifies.